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Reflections on travelling by public transport-a thread.
I can't drive. Not don't- can't. My coordination and spatial awareness is frequently challenged by doorframes and cupboards. I've had lessons, including the one where I carefully and precisely edged round into a brick wall
I can't drive. Not don't- can't. My coordination and spatial awareness is frequently challenged by doorframes and cupboards. I've had lessons, including the one where I carefully and precisely edged round into a brick wall
So I travel by public transport. It's not always perfect, especially living in a rural market town, but I've even managed community focused jobs.
Anyway- this is what I've been thinking at the bus stop today...
Anyway- this is what I've been thinking at the bus stop today...
All human life is here. The tired,stressed mum wrestling her pushchair and preschoolers onto the bus, swearing a bit but hugging them and talking to them. They're grubby in that active way we've come to look down on....
The older lady and her daughter with obvious learning difficulties, wearing their face shields and looking excitedly in their carrier bags from the bargain shop. They're on the bus each day searching for treasures. The bits of tinsel tat some sneer at...
The older man with his shuffling gait, moving past the bus stop lighting fag after fag as he goes to get his baccy.He stops and speaks, the Parkinson's making his words low and tricky. People turn away, but he's lonely. These few pleasantries at the bus stop help...
I sit on the bench, waiting for the bus, my feet in fleece lined warm boots, with my down jacket and my gut full of breakfast and warm coffee. Within minutes I'm cold. The bus comes .....
There's a loud man on the bus, talking about ideology I don't agree with, he's a good British citizen, he wants his country back. I wince. His wife apologises, he talks again, telling of his days serving the country. He gets quieter, talking of the mates who didn't come back...
I get off the bus, it's still cold. There's a few scraggly, thin lads huddled near the station, sharing smokes. I'm getting to go to my warm workplace,they'll sleep rough somewhere tonight. They're probably the same ages as my sons.
And so I think and I reflect...
And so I think and I reflect...
Everyone should travel by public transport once in a while. Check your privileges and be thankful for what you have. See the world as it really is and speak up for the bus users.
And just in case I get too cocky, hubris means today is the day I trip and fall in Lincoln high street right in front of the cctv cameras 
